The jury in the case of the fatal shooting that took the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' movie returned a verdict this week.
According to Fox News, armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the person responsible for handing Baldwin the loaded weapon that ultimately killed Hutchins, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
The tragic and fatal shooting on the movie set took place in the fall of 2021.
The verdict from the jury was returned quickly, as they only reportedly took less than three hours to find her guilty of the involuntary manslaughter charge.
Reed was remanded into custody following the verdict, where she'll be held until her sentencing trial.
Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer explained to Reed why she was remanded, noting that a death had occurred and emphasized the seriousness of the situation.
"I'm going to remand you," Sommer told the courtroom while explaining to Reed what was happening. "The reason is you are now convicted, and this is a death."
Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was just found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Gutierrez-Reed faces 3 years in prison.
This is bad news for Baldwin whose trial is scheduled for July 9. pic.twitter.com/BI4uHsHfY4
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) March 6, 2024
The trial began on Feb. 21. Fox News noted:
The armorer's trial, which began Feb. 21, saw testimony from weapons experts, FBI and Santa Fe County authorities and crew members who witnessed the fatal shooting. The prosecution largely focused on Gutierrez Reed's behavior as an armorer, claiming she didn't do her job correctly.
During closing arguments in the trial, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey held nothing back as she excoriated Reed for her involvement in the shooting.
"Hannah Gutierrez knew that Baldwin was loose. She knew it," Morrissey said. "She didn't do anything about it, even though it was her job. It was her job. It is her job to say to an A-list actor, if in fact, that's what you want to call him, 'Hey, you can't behave that way with those firearms.' That is her job. That is what they pay her for. That is the job that she applied for. That is the job that she accepted."
Social media users offered their take on the jury's verdict, with some calling for Baldwin, who faces trial soon, to serve prison time.
"The armorer from ‘Rust’ was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and faces 18 months in prison. Alec Baldwin, who actually killed a woman, should spend more time in jail... But we'll see how our two-tiered system of justice works for a rich, Democrat, Hollywood actor," Tim Young wrote on X.
Another X user wrote, "Mr Baldwin also is to blame for this, should made sure what he had in his hand. Don't care who he is or how much money he has !! He was one of the directors who is also responsible for SAFETY !!!!! He also pulled the trigger, don't care what he says !!!"
Only time will tell if Baldwin faces a similar outcome.
